Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Our country was founded, explored, and settled by people with a spirit for adventure. They deliberately set out to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society. Although other cultures (cowboys, trappers, miners, etc) found themselves moving into undeveloped territories, the pioneer went into unexplored regions particularly to start a new life. Most were farmers, but some were doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, and undertakers. They overcame insurmountable obstacles to maintain their purpose despite not knowing what waited for them on the other side of the horizon. Today's picture shows the sun setting behind the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. It is located in the beautiful downtown area and housed in the restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. As Stacie and I travel around this great country of ours we often discuss how the pioneers traversed the land on horseback and wagons. They didn't have paved roadways, hotels, or restaurants along the way to make the trek civilized. They didn't have bathrooms. They had to bring everything they needed with them. It took them months to cross the vast plains, prairies, and mountains. The next time you are taking a cross-country road trip imagine doing it with no air conditioning, no shelter from the rain, no radio, and no Starbucks. Would you have survived in the 1800s?